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Residents in Calgary Centre are done with traditional representation on Parliament Hill and they are seeking for a fresh voice that will bring change, says the Green Party candidate.

Chris Turner, a magazine journalist, book author and environmentalist, said he’s stealing support both from longtime Liberals and Conservatives in the hotly contested Monday byelection.

“Calgarians are ready for a new voice and they want to hear more than one tone representing them in Ottawa,” Turner told the Sun’s editorial board Friday.

Turner said as an MP he would represent the causes of the city and the responsible development of Canada’s energy resources.

He said he will bring an honest conversation with Canadians about how to develop the oilsands and other fossil fuel resources in a responsible way under a clear federal regulatory environment where everyone knows what the rules are.

Right now, what Canadians get from the Liberals and Conservatives is simply cheerleading on the issue, he said.

“From both sides of the aisle there’s nothing but back and forth of really immature conversation that does disservice to the industry.”

“I think it needs more than just cheerleading and I think if you want to send that message loud and clear to Ottawa, the Green guy is ready.”

Turner co-founded CivicCamp with Mayor Naheed Nenshi in 2009, which brought him closer to the municipal issues that need attention federally.

He said that’s the other facet that sets him apart from Liberal candidate Harvey Locke.

“One of the big differences is that I’ve actually been engaged in what’s happening in Calgary.”

Locke has an absolutely admirable records as a conservationist and has done a lot of great stuff, but his work is not focused on Calgary, said Turner.

Although Locke’s past work has made a difference environmentally, it doesn’t make him the right guy for Calgary, he said.

Turner’s campaign is being compared to Nenshi’s in 2010 and he admitted there are some resemblances.